Stoke City have confirmed the arrival of £18m centre-half Kevin Wimmer... and now attention quickly turns to just where the new boy is going to slot into Mark Hughes' team.

Four into three won't go, and with Kurt Zouma, Ryan Shawcross and Bruno Martins Indi the present incumbents in the Potters' back line something has to give... unless Wimmer is being lined up for some as yet unspecified different role. All will be revealed later.

Of course, there is live footie action involving the Potters today as the under-21s head north to take on Blackburn Rovers in the Checkatrade Trophy (7.45pm).

It is the second season Stoke have been involved in the competition, and they will face further group matches against Rochdale and Bury as they bid to reach the knockout stages.

We will bring you all the latest transfer news and speculation involving the Potters as it breaks throughout the day, plus coverage of this evening’s action at Ewood Park.

Key Events

With ambition comes inflation...

18:00

Smudge cutting up rough...

Martin Smith, the editor of Stoke City fanzine The Oatcake, is delighted by the start the Potters have made to the new season, and please with the rebuilding job Mark Hughes has done on his squad over the summer. But he’s still not totally a happy man though. Here’s why...

Xherdan Shaqiri takes a shot at goal during Stoke City's Premier League clash with West Brom at The Hawthorns on Sunday. (Image: Tony Marshall)

16:21

Fans have their say on Wimmer deal...

Potters fans have taken to Twitter to comment on the Kevin Wimmer deal. And one of them reckons BBC and BT Sport football pundit Robbie Savage owes the Coates family an apology. Here’s what they’ve been saying...

Robbie Savage is under fire for comments about football finance. (Image: Getty)

13:54

Because he's worth it...

Kevin Wimmer insists his big fee will not have a detrimental effect on his performances for the Potters. Here’s why...

Kevin Wimmer meets the media

13:06KEY EVENT

Come in No 5... legend's shirt for Wimmer

Kevin Wimmer has been handed the Stoke City No 5 shirt vacated by Marc Muniesa when he joined Spanish side Girona earlier this month. In doing so he joins an illustrious list of former Stoke central defenders such as Sergei Schtaniuk, Nicky Mohan, Michael Duberry, Leon Cort, Danny Collins... and the best of the lot, the legend that is Denis Smith.

Kevin Wimmer will wear the number 5 shirt for Stoke City. (Image: Stoke City FC)

Revolving door at the bet365 Stadium...

With the Kevin Wimmer deal set to be announced, Stoke are now hoping to see some movement in the other direction as they seek to offload the likes of Giannelli Imbula and Philipp Wollscheid. Here’s the latest...

Giannelli Imbula is set to join Monaco on loan

07:06

Butland playing the long game....

Jack Butland is being tipped to start for England when they take on Malta in a World Cup qualifier on Friday, but the Stoke City goalkeeper says he’s content to wait a little longer if incumbent Joe Hart gets the nod again, despite shipping goals for fun at loan club West Ham. Here are Jack’s thoughts on his national team ambitions...

Potters aiming high...

Glyn Hodges, Stoke’s senior professional development coach, is hoping Stoke can go at least one step further in this season’s Checkatrade Trophy. They bowed out in the group stages last time, but with the under-21s heading for Blackburn for tonight’s opener, Hodges said: “I thought it was a great experience last season. We had three good games and were a little disappointed not to progress.”

Stoke will also face Bury and Rochdale in the group stages, and Hodges told the Stoke City website: “A lot of the group are still the same, so they are a year older, wiser and stronger. It’s a tough start with Blackburn away, but we are looking forward to the competition and hope to progress from our group.”